[Chrissie06]

I will be starting in the Zoo Animal Technology program at Santa Fe in January, but I'm moving to Gainesville this August. I found this apartment 2 bedroom 2 1/2 bath awesome deal but I really don't know anything about the area. The current renter also does not have any pictures of the inside. Has anyone here ever lived in these townhomes or this area? Just looking for a little input, thank you!

[Prodigit]

I thought asking for a security deposit higher than a one months rent was illegal!
Other than that, you better look around a bit. Gainesville is pretty cheap in rent (compared to Miami dade).

[fauve]

Originally Posted by Prodigit

I thought asking for a security deposit higher than a one months rent was illegal!
Other than that, you better look around a bit. Gainesville is pretty cheap in rent (compared to Miami dade).

Read the ad again....they're only asking for 1st month's rent and almost half of that for security deposit. Also, asking for 2 months security deposit is very common and not illegal.

[Scientifical Madness]

Originally Posted by Chrissie06

I will be starting in the Zoo Animal Technology program at Santa Fe in January, but I'm moving to Gainesville this August. I found this apartment 2 bedroom 2 1/2 bath awesome deal but I really don't know anything about the area. The current renter also does not have any pictures of the inside. Has anyone here ever lived in these townhomes or this area? Just looking for a little input, thank you!

I would go to apartmentratings.com and see what ppl are saying about it.

[liketotalk]

Originally Posted by Chrissie06

I will be starting in the Zoo Animal Technology program at Santa Fe in January, but I'm moving to Gainesville this August. I found this apartment 2 bedroom 2 1/2 bath awesome deal but I really don't know anything about the area. The current renter also does not have any pictures of the inside. Has anyone here ever lived in these townhomes or this area? Just looking for a little input, thank you!

Well for one thing you will be at Santa Fe in just a few minutes! You will be 5 minutes from I-75 (unless you hit all the lights or heavy traffic) and just a few minutes away (heading north) you take the 1st exit and you're at school.

The Garden's have always been nice. It has been there for at least 15 or 20 years though. It is not a newer complex but it has always looked nice. I was in one 15 years ago but I can't remember too much about it. You would be located on Tower road (75th street) close to Newberry road which the Oaks mall is on and many other shops and restaurants.

The downside IMO- You are a few minutes walk from a really bad, really large apartment complex-area (Cedar Ridge). However, in Gainesville this is typical for some areas and I wouldn't let that bother you- it's only a FYI. There's tons of great places around there as well. TRAFFIC! Ack! Newberry road traffic is crazy. If you were going to UF it might be a problem for you but otherwise it won't set you back too bad.

There is a nice park on Tower road, a library, CVS, Walgreens, Banks, Jiffy stores, Publix, Home Depot. Nearby- Starbucks, Books a Million, Oaks Mall, Skating Rink, Bowling Alley, KMart, Hospital, Movie theaters, restaurants, etc.

It's 15-20 minutes to UF (downtown) depending on traffic. If the price is right don't hesitate, IMO.

Good luck!

[Gatornation]

Tower and Newberry is a very busy area with lots of stores. The area of those apartments is very close to some really upper scale housing if you go five minutes west/south. The previous poster is correct about the Cedar Ridge complex that is not far away and pretty bad.

I don't think you'll have an issue with that area but you might also want to see if you can find anything north and a little east of Sante Fe if you'd like less congestion.

[readytoretire256]

Hi Chrissie-

I graduated from the Sante Fe Animal Technology program 30 years ago (back in its infancy as a zoo). I'm sure the program has developed tremendously and is still educating excellent zoo keeps. Enjoy yourself and good luck with your future career.

Unfortunately, I can't comment much on Gainesville today. When I moved away from there in the mid-80s it was already starting to really build up. Traffic was getting heavy and the like. But I loved living in Gainesville during my college years. Lots of great stuff to do. One of my favorites spots was right down the road from Sante Fe -- be sure to visit the Devil's Millhopper Geological Site. It was a beautiful place to go for a bit of piece and quiet and nature, esp. during finals week! LOL

Once again, enjoy Gainesville and the zoo program. Good luck with your apartment search!

[Prodigit]

My friend moved to gainesville 2 to 3 years ago, and say life is boring there.
Perhaps they got used to life in Miami.

[readytoretire256]

Well, compared to Miami I would agree that Gainesville is pretty boring LOL. It doesn't have that much of a night life (except college bar stuff) and you are an hour+ from the beaches. But I remember it with great fondness. Beautiful part of the state. Lots of lakes and springs. Good music and art festivals. Decent amount of college fun stuff. Different strokes for different folks -- I personally wouldn't like living in Miami if you paid me. JMHO

[UFstudent888]

You might look into the Looking Glass Apartments, which are very near the University of Florida campus. From here I can walk across the street to Library West at UF. It takes 120 steps! I'm very close to Turlington Hall. I am two blocks from the Stadium. I can walk to The Swamp, the O'Connell Center, and Reitz Union and other nightlife from my apartment.

These UF apartments are some of the nicest around having high ceilings, a security alarm system (your option), a full deluxe kitchen, and free high-speed internet. I'm really enjoying it.

Here's the website: [url=http://www.lookingglassapartments.com/] - www.LookingGlassApartments.com .

Good luck. I hope there are still some available for you when you relocate to Gainesville.